No Bad Guys

If it’s not too late — though it probably is — it might offer some perspective to remember exactly what the Southampton Town Board decision on June 11, involving Liberty Gardens, really was: The board merely declined to change the existing zoning on a property. It was not a monumental decision in that regard, nor does it bear quite the philosophical significance it has been assigned by the disappointed developer, Concern Housing. It was, in fact, a much less dynamic choice than if the board had voted in favor.

Yes, the Town Board had seemed to be moving toward allowing more dense development on the property behind Southampton Full Gospel Church, off County Road 39. But, ultimately, the 50-unit proposal for 5 acres of the 9-acre site was too problematic for four of the five board members.

Concern Housing went ballistic afterward, with Concern for Independent Living Executive Director Ralph Fasano calling the decision “deeply disturbing” and accusing the Town Board of turning its back on veterans in need. But that’s a self-serving and overly simplistic interpretation — and it matches the aggressive tone the organization took from nearly the start. If this was such a good idea, it shouldn’t have required that kind of emotional arm-twisting.

The truth is, though the former town supervisor, Jay Schneiderman, seemed to see this as a great opportunity to expand affordable housing opportunities, even he eventually came to acknowledge that what was being proposed was not quite what the town needed. The housing would be affordable, but much of it would not go to working families who are already here, which is where the community’s biggest need lies. That’s not to suggest that housing for veterans isn’t a worthwhile cause — it’s just not a solution to this town’s current crisis.

There were always logistical issues with the site, primarily because it would be located on busy County Road 39. It simply became impossible to ignore that at least half of the units would have tenants who likely would require more services than a typical residential development would — it would be more facility than apartment building. The increased density would only increase the impact. In the end, the math simply didn’t work, on that site.

“Who the project is for shouldn’t even enter into the equation, but the applicant has made that the focal point, knowing it’s really hard to say no to our nation’s heroes,” said Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara, perfectly summing up the dilemma the board members found themselves in. In that light, it actually took more political courage for the majority to vote no — they recognized that the potential fallout for the town was worse than the personal price they paid, being labeled unpatriotic.

There are no bad guys here. Concern Housing does wonderful work, and the door remains open for a more appropriate site. In the meantime, the Town Board took a principled, difficult stance. And a problematic piece of property is still available for appropriate development — under current zoning. All things considered, it feels like the best outcome.